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■llttASAfST 1ip@tB8. 




VOLUME FIRST. 



PLEASANT 

WOUDS, 

CONTAINING A CHOICE SELECTION OF 

OBIOINAL POEMS. 

\ r, 

^ BY 

ADA M. KNOWLTON. 



Poetry has a natural alliance with our 
bpsi affections.— C/^«m^^7^5'. 



PUBLISHED BY THE 

MESSENGER COMPANY, 

VTCTOKY, CAYUGA CO., N. Y, 



1875. ; -^i^' 



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ii^n 



,\{'b% 



Entered cuMordinq to act of Congress, in 
the year 1875, hy Ada M. Knowlton, m the 
office of the Librarian of Congress, at 
Washington. 



PRiiF^ei;, 



This volume is designed to encourage 
the higher sentiments of the soul in ex- 
pression ; conveying, as it may, that 
tenderness of thought so peculiarly adapt- 
ed to the wants of the human heart. 
Many of the pieces, which have been 
previously published in Rochester, New- 
burgh, Syracuse, and Auburn, as well as 
other places, were not written for the 
press — but merely to satisfy the inward 
promptings of the heart which called 
clearly for expression ; and, only in obey- 
ing came that peace so sweet and price- 
less. 

That this volume may meet the kindly 
notice and approbation of some of the 
intelligent of our land, making the hours 
of its perusal pass pleasantly and profit- 
ably, is the earnest wishes of the author, 
and through it will be obtained the high- 
est earthly happiness. 

Victory, September, 1875. 



0@B«TilWT8, 



Pleasant Words .... 5 
Waiting for Papa at the Door . 6 

Regret 7 

'♦Do Right." 9 

Home 10 

Somewhere 11 

A Tribute 13 

14 
15 
16 
17 
18 



Love 

The Toothache 
Wine Is Poison 
Professor Morse 
To an Absent Friend 

"Farewell" 19 

♦'They Say" 31 

Gentleness 23 

Love Waiting at the Gate . . 34 
Isadore's Grave .... 25 
Speak The Truth . . . .27 



"PLEASANT WOKDS. S 

■k Thought on Nature . . . 28 

True Hearts 39 

Tribute to a Friend . . . aO 
He Is Coming .... 33 
The Noblest Man ... 33 

Midsummer's Eve . . . .34 
Now Is The Time . . . .35 
President Lincoln . . . .36 

The Decision 39 

Be True 40 

Thoughts of the Past . . 43 

My Father Give Thy Hand . . 44 

Sympathy 45 

Little Dell 46 

Professor Wells .... 48 
What We May Do . . . 50 

To Lora 51 

The Terrible Talker ... 63 
Music ...... 55 

Bruised and Broken ... 56 

God's Ways 57 

To One Beloved .... 58 
Always Much To Do . . .59 

The Release 61 

Twilight 63 

^he Valediction .... 64 
Sunset Dreams .... 66 
Autumn Voices .... 67 
My Singing Bird . . . .68 
Woman's Sphere . . . .69 



4 PLEASANT WORDS. 

A Mother's Love ... 71 

In The Spring .... 73 

Beauties Of Nature ... 74 

Who Will Think Of Me . . 75 



Pleasant Words. 



PLEASANT WORDS. 



Pleasant words why not bestow 
Thro' the world where'er you go ? 
They're but a little thiui? 
Yet a joyousness will bring, 
Often to a heart oppressed :— - 
And as drops the diamond dew 
On the violet so blue— - 
They may soothe a soul distressed. 

Little children pure and fair — 
Thro' the wide world everywhere— 
Wondrously they love to hear 
Words like music on ihe ear, 
Little griefs will disappear 
As the mist above the lake, 
When the glorious sun doth wake 
With his golden gleams of cheer. 

Pleasant words within the street 
If you any chance to meet — 
Might o'erthrow a thought of care 
Which was heaviness to bear ; 
Tho' the eye no grief reveal'd, 
But as worms in roses found 
Gnawing deep the heart around. 
Yet was perfectly concealed. 

In the country fresh and fair, 
In the city's noonday glare— 



h 



PLEASAKT WORDS. 

With the glorious sky above 
And the richness of His love ; 
Would you then refuse to give 
Jjight and sunshine to a flower, 
if you h^d the perfect power 
Bidding it to brightly live ? 

Pleasant words, Oh don't deny, 
You may give them if you try, 
To the beggar or the belle ; 
If you give them it is well, 
t'or the angels write them dowh-^ 
And the gate they open wide 
While they linger at its side 
Waiting with a fadeless crown. 



WAITING FOR PAPA AT TAB 
DOOR. 



li'AiKY feet flying to meet 

Papa at the door ; 
Arched lips scarlet, smiling sweet, 
Lisping Isadore— - 
Have been waiting for you, dear 
I'm so happy you are here. 

Tresses of gold silken, rolled 
O'er her shoulders white ; 
All her wealth of love untold. 
Whispering delight- 
To give welcome, and to press 
Papa's lips in tendernees. 

White' arms wound so soft around--^ 

Pressing him so near ; 
'Til she seemed a jewel crowned. 



I^LBASANT WOBDS. 1 

As she whispered, here — 
Papa, darling, let me rest, 
As a dove, upon your breast. 

Blue eyes turned to his and yearfted 

For a wealth of love ; 
Woman's nature I discerned, 
Born of Him, above — 
For a love that knows no change, 
Time or distance to estrange. 



REGRET. 



Softly the gold has kiss'd the sum- 
mer sky, 

Slowly aipp'ears to view the crimson 
blush. 

Meekly the ciesent pale moves up on 
high-- 

At eve's calm hush. 

^Calmly the stars, by angel hands are 

pinn'd. 
Brightly they shine on heaven's se- 

renest blue, 
The zephyr wand'ring wildly by hath 

thin'd 

The drops of dew. 

Grandly the sea in the dim distance 

rolls— 
Gently the murmur of the waves hath 

stirr'd 
.To softest sighs fair flowers with 

love-washed souls 

By angels heard. 



» iPLEASANT WOiRDS. 

Standing as some fair lily, pure and 

sweet, 
With brow as white as a calm bed of 

snow, 
Unto mine own the eyes so wistful 

meet— - 

Then droopeth low. 

The jetty hair in slender ringlets 

, droop'd 

Wavy and low upon a wealth of 

pearl-— 
The roses pale with graceful stems 

were looped. 

To clasp each curl. 

What few can give she gave me 

there and then--- 
The sacred sweetness of a stainless 

heart ; 
I could not yield the same to her 

again-— 

We dwell apart. 

I, musing ever of a lost delight 
That swept my heart with sweetest 

melody, 
I could not read, as now, upon that 

night 

My destiny. 

I hear from her, at times, by friends 

long known, 
Her life in doing others good is 



Sad I must reap the same that I have 
sown. 

Unto the last. 



PLEASANT WORDS. 

♦♦DO RIGHT." 



" Do right. " 
Then life is worth the living, 
And every action you are giving 

May bear sweet fruit to bless mankind. 
Though, as the oak, its growth may be 
So slow that you can scarcely see 

The change which after years may find. 

"Do right" 
In things which seem so small ; 
For as the dew-drop that doth fall 

May bring to life a withered flower, 
So may each little act of thine, 
If truth and purity combme. 

Bear fragrant leaves of perfect power. 

'♦Do right." 
If each and all would heed 
This motto, thereM be little need 

Of prisons or a darkened cell, 
And earth would be a quiet place, 
With loving smiles upon each face, 

In peaceful harmony to dwell. 

" Do right," 
Tho' pleasure's winning voice 
May bid you come and there rejoice, 

Turn thouj away in fear. 
Her smiles perchance may lead away 
To scenes where virtue cannot stay, 

While death may follow near. 

"Do right," 
In thought, in word, and deed, 
-And let Jehovah ever lead 



10 PLEASANT WORDS. 

You by His hand divine 
Unto a perfect place of bliss, 
Where shining angels gently kiss 

And press their hearts to thine. 



HOME. 



Other skies may be more fair ; 
Fragrance's weeter on the air, 
1 han the loving light of home ; 
Yet if truthfulness abound, 
Love and purity are found, 
Who could ever wish to roam. 

Birds in lovline'ss may vie 
The blushing rose, the violet's eye 
Yet they never seem so dear, 
As the home-like birds that sing 
With their melody, and fling 
Tenderness, the heart to cheer. 

Trees more graceful may arise, 
Gazing in the sunny skies, 
Than the waving ones that stand 
Near the little love swept hearth, 
Where our infancy had birth, 
As a bright unbroken band. 

Other flowers may be as bright, 
Other words may be as right 
As the ones we oft may hear ; 
Yet a deeper root they'll take, 
When from childhood we awake. 
And in manhood's form appear. 

Gold and silver may allure ; 



PLEASANT WORDS. It 

But if we are true and pure, 
Bacred deep there'll be a spot, 
And the tender ties of home, 
Though in foreign climes we roam, 
Nay, can never be forgot. 

Home, the dearest, sweetest place, 
Should be ever full of grace ; 
To imite more close and bind, 
Peace, sympathy and truth. 
In the tiying hours of youth. 
And all excellence of mind. 

Home, thou fragrant sunny spot, 
Bhouldst thou ever be forgot ? 
Or, one ever wish to roam ? 
JNot if love and truth abound. 
And all purity is found. 
Then, no place is sweet as home. 



SOMEWHERE. 



There's a heart for me somewhere, 

Tender, kind, and true ; 
Brow of satin, smooth and fair : 

Eyes of sunny blue, — 
Which are moistened with a tear 

When wild winds molest — 
Whispering, beloved here 

On my bosom rest. 

Somewhere, roses softly cling 

To a cottage low, 
And a perfume faintly fling 

On the vale below. 
Where the singing stream is heard 



2 PLEASAKT WiORbS; 

With its music sweet, 
Mingled with the mocking bird 
Near our fav'rite Beat. 

There are dimpled hands for me, 

And soft velvet cheeks, 
And a voice of purity 

Which in accents speak, 
When the cares of life o'er-cloud 

All my sunny sky. 
Then a gold-brown head is bow'd 

With the saddest sigh. 

Somewhere, there are arms for me — 

And no others press. 
Which are wound, so lovingly 

In their snowiness. 
When I ;pass the threshold o'er 

At departing day. 
Sunbeams, shining on^the floor, 

Take my cares away. 

Y(s6,' there beats a heart for me 

In the world somewhere ; 
And§the star of constancy 

Burns divinely^fair ; 
And the dove of hope appears, 

Bearing pn^her breast 
Words that banish all my fears, 

And which give me rest. 



pIjEAsant words. 13 

A TRIBUTE. 



TO THE MEMORY OF ELMER P., SON OF 
MR. AND MRS. JA8. PRTTCHARD, WHO WAS 
ACCIDENTLY KILLED AT SOUTH BUTLHR. 

One week ago young Elmer P. 

With earnest eye 
Gazed on the beauties he could see 

Of earth and sky ; 
His was a temperament to trace 
The works of God in nature's face. 

One week ago, and life was joy 
To that pure heart ; ■ 

Where is my fondly cherished boy ? 
Why must we part ? 

And he. that tender bud of love, 

To brightly bloom in joy above. 

One week ago, each life-pulse beat 

With youth's rich glow ; 
Wheie are the freely flying feet 

That used to go 
When morn her flashing robe had flung 
The golden grain to work among ? 

One week ago, and each fair brow 

Clustered around, ™- 
That fragrant wreath is broken now — 

One is not found-— 
There is a vacant chair and place, 
Gone is a sweet and smiling face. 

One week ago, and lips of love 

Clung close to mine ; 
Oh, did they need him so above- - 



iA PLEASANT WGRi>S. 

That boy of mine V 
Why did the angels leave ajar 
The gates, to beckon him, my star-f 

One week ago, the roses blushed 

With perfumed power, 
But he, my fragrant rose, was crushed 

In one brief hour ; 
The leaves were gathered from the skies 
To bloom anew in paradise. 



LOVE. 



Love is a passion flower that needs 

All tenderness and care ; 
It cannot thrive where rankest weeds 

Grow round it everywhere. 

It must have space and fragrdnt air, 

And gentle spirits too. 
To faithful watch with gentlest care 

Mid Heaven's unchanging blue. 

Love is a passion flower that would 
Grow strangely bright and fair ; 

if all around were pure and good 
' Twould blossom everywhere. 

Love is a passion flower that twines 
Around the human heart ; 

Its tendrils, like a thousand vines, 
Bleed as they're torn apart. 

Love is a passion flower, and yet 

How many pass it by ; 
How many, many do forget 

That it was born on high. 



PLEASANT WORDS. J^ 

THE TOOTH-ACHE. 



Of all the pains that flesh is heir, 
There's naught that giveth the despair 
Of teeth, that grumble hard or ache : 
Making the rosy blush forsake 
Our cheek, and plal'e as drifted snow, 
We pass the harbinger of woe. 

Our eyes are sorrowful to see ; 
We speak through them our nisery. 
Deeply veiled the shadows lie 
Beneath the fringes of the eye 
That once were bright as jewels flung 
Amid the luster of the sun. 

Our voice is changed from low to loud, 

We angry speak amid a crowd 

When we so plausible and kind 

Are ever to the ones we find, 

In company or any place, 

Our tooth has changed for us the case. 

Unto our friends that cluster near, 
How cold and cheerless we appear ; 
Half robbing them of peace and joy 
Which by our grumbling we destroy — 

A_bout the madness and the pain 

VV ishing our quiet to regain. 

Of all the ills I know of none. 
Provoking more beneath the sun ; 
The time when they will ever cease — 
The pain acute and give release 
To wearied nerve so sensative, 
Is more than any one can give. 



16 PLEASANT WORDS. 

I pity all where'er they be, 

Who feels the tooth-ache misery. 

They may have wisdom, wealth and fame, 

Portion, too, an honest name. 

It matters not in any spot, 

The tooth-ache cannot be forgot. 



WINE IS POISON. 



Wine is poison ! Touch it not. 

Oh, my friend, beware ! 
Bring to mind the drunkard's lot, 

And the dark despair 
That must settle o'er his soul 
When the shades of death shall roll. 

Wine is poison ! Though it glowa 

With a ruby light, 
Dark destruction through it flows. 

Touch it not at night. 
Or when rosy morn appears ; 
It will deluge yoU' with tears. 



Wine is poison ! Though its gl 
Charm the weary eye ; 

Death is nearing, though it seem 
You would never die. 

Oh, a poisoned shaft is there ; 

It will bring you to despair. 

Wine is poison ! Handle not ; 

Gaze not on its glow ; 
Hasten quickly from the spot, 

Ere the brink of woe 
You may quickly, swiftly tread. 
And be numbered with the. dead. 



PLEASANT WORDS. 17 

Wine is poison ! Aye, the still 

Will not this deny, 
Will you, then, the wine-cup fill, 

But to drink and die, 
Or be temperate, true and brave, 
Shunning thus a drunkard's grave * 



PROFESSOR MORSE. 



From the glorious constellation 
That revolve in space, 

And the light of every nation, 
Was the welcome face 
Of Professor Morse, who stood. 
High among the great and good, 
Acting, working, planning, musing, 
How in life to be pursuing 
Something useful in 'invention ; 
Hoping thus to aid the nation. 

As yon star that rises slowly 
O'er the sea. 

So Professor Morse, as surely, 
Came to see 
Every European nation, 
Giving tokens of distinction, 
For the well-deserving merit. 
Which he really did inherit ; 
But to aid and bless mankind, 
Seemed to be this masters mind. 

Long the life and bright the mission. 

Of this noble of the land. 
And I'd speak with your permission, 

How he gave with his own hand 
Pleasant words, that swept like fate, 



18 PlifiASANT WORDS. 

To each city in the state ; 
As in eighteen seventy-one, 
They to honor him had come, 
Wilth his statue in New York, 
To unveil in Central Park. 

He has gone ! a weeping nation 
Bows in silent grief her head, 

As she thinkSjWith true devotion, 
On the knowledge that he spread 
O'er the ocean vast and grand, 
And the faithful sun swept land. 
Honor gave the nations, truly, 
But the angels loved him dearly ; 
80 with sunny smiles they bore 
Him across the other shore. 



TO AN ABSENT FRIEND. 



Though hill and valley, brightly green. 

Lie between, 
Yet how often in my dream 

Thou dost seem 
To speak tenderly and low, 
As in days of long ago. 

Then thy words as music came 

Through my name ; 
Aye, thou kindledst there a flame—- 

Could I blame ? 
Ask the violet so blue, 
As it drinks the diamond dew. 

Sunny smiles so sweet and rare, 

That were there, 
Drove away the constant care 



tOiEASANT WORDS. 

Unaware, 
And my soul a larger scope 
Seemed to take with a new hope. 

And expanding as a flower, 

In a bower, 
With the sun and silver shower, 

Thou hadst power 
O'er my heart to hold and bind 
All thy excellence of mind. 

And more glorious and , true 

Do I view 
Truth, which ever seemeth new, 

In its hue — 
With a lovliness of .form 
That defieth every storm. 

Thou art absent, yet how near 

Doth appear ; 
For thy word of constant cheer 

Oft 1 hear 
As the music in my dreams 
Farthcrest off when nearest seems. 



Id 



FAREWELL 



The crimson clouds were fading 

from the sky, 
Upon the silent sea a sad sound 

fell-- 
JStirring the waves to sadness, 

like a sigh 
Which seemed to say, '* Farewell I" 

In the soft sky the silver stars 

came out. 
And whispered, sweetly, like a 



20 PLEASANT WORDS. 

clear- voiced bell ; 
I listened closely, and there was 
no doubt 
They sadly sighed, * ' Farewell. " 

The warm south wind the sleep- 
ing roses stirred-— 

And they awoke, and from their 
sweet lips fell 

The saddest sounds the human 
heart hath heard, 
** Farewell, farewell, farewell !" 

The sweet night birds to sudden 

singing turned. 
And they had just the same sad 

song lo tell ; 
My hushed heart sighed to find 

the birds had learned 
That solemn song, " Farewell." 

''Farewell, " I sighed, there is 

no other theme. 
And all who live must each this 

chorus swell ™ 
Save those, the blest; who see 

the golden gleam 
Of heaven, hear not, "Farewell. " 



i^LEASANT WORDS. ^1 

'THEY SAY." 



**They sat" is a very hard mortal 

indeed, 
Will succeed 
In gaining the ear with the closest 

attention 
Of some, though their names I never 

will mention, 
Who try to be living 
And constantly giving 
Their candid opinion about this or 

that. 

*' They say " then all business is stop- 
ped in a wink 

I)o you think ? 

While eyes that were weary will^sud- 
denly brighten, 

And cheeks which were rosy will 
quietly whiten 

And ask, can it be 

That this mystery 

Has never been solved for a moment 
'till now ? 

** They say" when a maiden has step- 
ped in a door, 

Or before : 

Have you heard the terrible gossip 
that's flying, 

How some have been out with a par- 
ty and 'spying 

The lovely Lenore 

Not far from the shore, 

A stranger beside her and sailing away I 



22 PLEASAKT WORDS. 

*'They say" young D — , so poof 
and so proud, 

Has allowed 

A farthing he never will ask of an- 
other : 

He'll go through college in spite of 
his brother, 

And work his own way. 

None never shall say 

He ne'er was dependent on any for 
bread. 

"They say" v/idow H. , for once, 

has decided, 
And confided 
Her all to the man who came oVet* 

the ocean ; 
To think she would give him her 

earnest devotion, 
Who's long been coquetting 
And ever upsetting 
The hopes of so many young men of 

the town. 

"They say" should be slighted by 

persons of sense. 
In defense 
Of the many pure hearts with an- 

earnest endeavor ; 
Who wish to be living, both now and 

forever 
Lives without blame ; 
Not merely in name. 
But pure as a lily that's draped in 

the dew. 



PLEASANT WOBDS. , 33 

GENTLENESS. 



How full of tender joyous aess 
Would be our world, aad happiness 
Would glorify the heart, 
If we this rule would only make : 
To speak in tenderness, and take 
All evil from the heart. 

If*we woul<l strengthen and preserve 
Our purity of brain and nerve, 
We must be gentle, kind ; 
To train the vine and tend the flowers 
'Twill beautify some heart and ours, 
An added charm may find. 

Our nobleness of heart should scorn 
To wound a heart, at eve or morn-— 
At any time or place ; 
Mayhap a word of tenderness 
Would give a glow of happiness. 
Making a sun-lit face. 

Eaith is so beautiful and fair, 
The summer skies serene, the air 
Laden with sweet perfume, 
We should not wish to shade the sun, 
Making the shadows swiftly come 
To some in life's sweet noon. 

Oftiines a sunny word will cling 
Around the heart, and softly bring 
Loved memories to view 
When sunbeams swept the soul around, 
And diamond dreams were ever 
crowned, 

With love's enchanting hue. 



t PLEASANT WORDS. 

E'en we have power, though unaware, 
To chase the darkness and despair 
From some sad heart away ; 
Will not the consciousness of this 
Yield much to our own happiniSss, 
Thro' life from day to day ? 



LOVE WAITING A r THE GATE. 



Blue eyes for me are shining 

As stars at hush of night, 
Amid ihe^roses climbing 

With welcome of delight, 
A sweet voice low and tender 

In melody is heard, 
And playfully I call her 

Of times my singing bird. 

No rosy lips are fresher, 

No sweeter smile doth wait, 
To welcome and remember 

My footsteps at the gate ; 
No fair hand any whiter 

To lead me gently through, 
No cheek of velvet softer. 

Or lovelier in hue. 

No sympathy so cheering, 

Or words so sweet and low. 
As those at my appearing. 

In tenderness that flow ; 
Cares fly so swift and fleeting, 

The time I notice not. 
The joyous bliss of meeting 

Lives only in that spot. 



PLEASANT WORDS. 

No one so quick and knowing, 

And trying to fulfill. 
Me ev'ry need and feeling, 

The pleasure of my will ; 
No snowy arms more willing 

In tenderness to wait, 
With smiles so sweet and cheering, 

My footsteps at the gate. 

The sun to me is shining, 

No matter where I go ; 
For, 'mid the roses climbing, 

A sunny face I know 
Is wishing for my coming, 

And lovingly doth wait, 
At eve or rosy morning, 

My footsteps at the gate. 



25 



ISADORJii'S GRAVE. 



The dew-gemmed flowers close 
Their perfumed prayer with heaven- 
ward eye : 
The tremblini!: cresent softly rose 
To muse on high. 

The liquid pearls of night. 
As golden mist, falls camly down 
To meet the star-beams, grandly bright, 
From heaven's crown. 

And I have come once more 
Above thy sacred shrine, to pass 
A few short hours, sweet Isadore I 
Comfort alass 



S6 PLEASANT WOUtiS. 

Comes not arouud my cot-— 
Since thou on starry wings went out, 
God's angel, Love, f.oon me forgot, 
I move about. 

In dreams, beloved child". 
So strangely sad I can but weep ; 
Wlien will the violets so mild 
Their vigils keep, 

Around my lonely grave ? 
And stranger's steps the lone mound 

press ; 
When will my hushed heart cease to crave 
Thy tenderness ? 

The night bird's song is low 
And sad unto my listening ear ; 
The lily pale waves too and fro 
Around thy bier. 

Sweet one ! could thou but rest 
Thy sinless soul above my heart, 
I feel the cares from my sad , breast 
Would soon depart. 

Where art thou flown, fair dove ? 
I gaze above thy smile 1 see ; 
iiach star doth mirror back thy love 
In melody. 

Watch thou, beloved, and wait : 
Sweet paradise will swing ere long 
Aback for me her golden gate, 
'Mid angel throng. 

Then we again shall meet, 



PLEASANT WORDS. St 

To dwell in bliss forevermore ; 
Wild heart, be hushed, I soon shall meet 
My Isadore. 



SPEAK THE TRUTH. 



Speak the trutli, and do not waver ; 

Speak it boldly everywhere, 
Though it may displease or favor 

You with others, here or there ; 
Let your heart in eaily youth, 

Act in nobleness and truth. 

Speak the truth, tho' you're offending, 
The profession of a friend ; 

Speak thou not a lie, pretending. 
It is better thus to end 

Some shameful gossip flying 
By a little act of lying. 

Speak the truth ; and speak it boldly, 
In the mansion or the cot : 

Though to some it seemeth coldly, 
And may never be forgot ; 

It should matter naught to thee. 
So thy soul from sin be free. 

Speak the truth through life, forever ; 

Speak it simply, truly, well ; 
Let no one in you discover 

Seeds of misery and hell ; 
But be noble, be enduring 

In the upward life pursuing. 



i*i,3BA8ANT WORDS. 

A THOUGHT ON NATURE. 



I hardly know, or scarce can see, 
How some can live and ever be 
Calm and impassioned, when His voice 
Makes e'en the hills and birds rejoice. 

The whispering winds- - if you but list* — 
Will tell you of the flowers they kissed, 
Which snowy leaves awoke to blush. 
Within the calm night's silent hush. 

One crimson bud, one leaf, one flower, 
Oh ! is there not enough of power 
To 'rouse the dullest ones of earth, 
To thoughts of him who gave ihem birth? 

Ah, who would gaze upon the brow 
Of night, without once thinking, how 
He scattered lightly with His hand, 
Each burning world at his command ? 

No music in the soul of man ; 
Was this the wisdom and the plan 
Of Him, who fashioned all we see 
In tiny leaf, and spray, and tree ? 

Oh ! no, it cannot, must not be ; 
For where we turn we're sure to see 
Some glorious light, some beauty rare, 
That speaks of all that's pure and fair. 

Then, why should those whose spirits 

yearn 
To deeper dri nk of Him, and learn, 
Be dampened by the thoughts of those 
Who see no beauty in a rose. 



PLEASANT WORDS. 



I cannot see, nor do I know, 
Why he would wish to have it so. 
Then drink ye thirsty spirit, drink. 
Without one thought what others think. 



TRUE HEARTS. 



There are eyes of diamond brightness- 
Clear, and soft, and very fair, 

And a brow of marble whiteness, 
Seemingly untouched by care ; 

And her voice is soft and sweet 
As she murmurs words of greeting ; 

Thus the bride and bridegroom meet 
Words of tenderness repeating. 

Day by day the sunbeams linger 

Round their pleasant cottage home, 
And the sweet voice of the singer 

Takes away the thoughts to roam, 
So he sits with her at eve, 

Dreaming not of care or sadness ; 
Naught around to make him grieve 

F'or his heart is filled with gladness. 

When the fever fire is burning 

Through his over-heated brain, 
She, his best beloved, is learning 

Soonest how to still the pain ; 
And her noiseless feet they move 

In the way his life to brighten—- 
Doing deeds which clearly prove 

That it makes her own cheek whiten. 

Though her heart and hands are weary, 
She will murmur not of this. 



30 PLEASANT WORDS. 

And her eyes will shine as clearly 

As in joyous happiness. 
If her huband's heart is true, 

And his words be warm and tender, 
She will smile the long year through, 

And be May—- and not December. 



LINES ON THE DEATH OF MISS 

PHCEBA TYLER, OF 

SOUTH BUTLER. 



Death softly drew^^the roses from 

her cheek, 
And left the dimpled fullness white 

as pearl ; 
The sweet lips ceased to move again 

or speak- 
So passed a gentle girl. 

Whose sunny sweetness seemed to 

make more light 
Around the pleasant place wherein 

she shone ; 
Her bird like beauty brought to all 

delight 
Where'er her worth was known. 

Her presence pure made peaceful 

paths for those 
Whose lives with hers were mingled 

" for a time ; 
As [fair and faultless^as a wild-wood 
rose, 
She perished in her prime. 



PLEASANT WORDS. 31 

When orchards bloomed in light ar- 
ray, 

And fragrance stirred the summer 
scented air, 

And singing birds sang sweetly in 
the May , 
We learned to know despair : 

For sadness breathed, where beau- 
ty's breath was blown, 

And lowly bow'd her drooping head 
in tears-— 

For her, the lovely and the loved, — 
now flov/n— - 
The joy of vanished years. 

The fairest clouds of crimson and of 

gold 
In sorrow seemed to gaze upon the 

scene ; 
And soon the mournful moon moved 

calm and cold 
From 'neath her silver screen-— 

And seemed to weep with us around 

her bier, 
Wherein she lay so statue-like and 

white ; 
And snowy wings of seraphs soon 

appear 
Which flood the room with light. 

She passed from earth, — but there is 

lingering yet 
A sacred speaking of the time — when 

we 
May see the jewel God's great grace 



Pleasant woftDs. 



hath set 
In yon eternity. 



fl£ IS COMING. 



"I AM coming, coming, coming, " 

Wrote my friend the other day, 
Ever since the birds are humming, 

" In the merry month of May." 
You will hear his footsteps falling:— 

Making music on the floor — 
Many memories recalling 

Of the pleasant days before. 

J^tist above my lattice, climbing, 

Is the ivy, green, — that swings 
'Mid the clematis— -entwining 

Where the reddest robin sings. 
In the early blush of morning. 

Long I listen softly by. 
And I see him in the gloaming, 

When the stars are in the sky. 

He is coming— soft he singeth. 

On this sunny April day. 
And the daisy, white, that springeth, 

Seems to whisper all the way ; 
And the silver streams that wander 

Through the velvet vallies green, 
With their songs of gladness, ponder- 

He may come to crown you Queen. 

So the sun in glory shineth. 
And a perfume fills the air ; 

In the distance dimly lieth 
Forms and fancies strangely fair, 



PLEASANT WORDS. 33' 

And my happy heart is beating 
To the music of their words : 

In the month of May our meeting 
Is to be-— sings all the birds. 



THE NOBLEST MAN. 



The noblest man I ever knew. 

Was faithful, honest, kind and true ; 

He lived a life, but not of ease, 

He only thought how he might please 

His maker, and to this same end 

Did ev'ry noble action tend. 

T!he noblest man ! be stoops to bear 
His burden and his life of care ; 
And aid his fallen wayside brother, 
As he would do a loving mother, 
And this, I'd have it understood, 
Without one thought of future good. 

The noblest man is large of soul, 
With ev'ry passion in control, 
He lives that each and ev'ry one 
May see some good which he has done; 
Something remembered, or forgot, 
To muse on him when he is not. 

The nobiest man is truth and love ; 
Bright virtues of the one above ; 
He could not do an action base. 
Though he was never face to face 
With friend, or foe, or loving brother, 
In this fair world, or any other. 



34 PLEASANT WORDS. 

The noblest man, I feel is part 
Of God, and has the most of heart ; 
He feels a sense of right, that none 
But those who love Him e'er have done. 
Oh ! would that each and all might plan, 
To truly be the noblest man. 



MIDSUMMER'S JSVE. 



The crimson glory of the sun 

is fading from the sky ; 
The fragrance of the roses come 

Upon the west wind's sigh. 

The ring-dove stirs the bloom that bends 

Over Tier downy neet, 
And m>riad stars a radiance sends 

Over the earth's broad breast. 

Soft purple clouds in silence sleep, 
Dreaming of peace and rest ; 

The waves upon the ocean keep 
Night's silence, on her breast. 

The sacred hush of twilight falls 

Slowly over the vale. 
From bights afar, the swallow's call 

Comes on the evening gale. 

The dew-filled flowers softly close ; 

The swans go sailing by 
With waveless wings in their repose, 

Under the calmest sky. 

The boy goes whistling to his home ; 
The milk- maid sweetly sings ; 



PLEASANT WORDS, 



The cottagers care not to roam ™ 
Peace ia their covering. 



NOW IS TH^ TIMB. 



Now's the time be up and doing, 
Something useful be pursuing : 

Think thou not on stern tomorrow, 
It may yield thee only sorrow. 

Work my friend wliile it is day ; 
Ere the moments flee away. 

Now's the time for earnest thinking, 
And for laurels worth the winning ; 

Step out boldly do not falter ; 
Poverty can never alter 

Truth, integrity and soul, 
And the mind that's in control. 

Now's the time there is no other ; 

Be thou faithful then, my brother 
To the right where'er thou find it ; 

Pleasanter 'twill be to mind it 
When thy life wears to a close, 

As a dying fragrant rose. 

Now's the time to be improving 
In your worthy labor-loving ; 

Aid the fallen who are blindly 
Going downward, ask them kindly 

To return, where peace and rest 
May invite them as a guest. 

Now's the time that truth should ever 

Be the foremost, and endeavor 
To awake the soul that slumbers 



PLEASANT WORDS. 



In deceptive chains for numbers, 
Think not deeply of the sin, 
When in falsehood they begin. 



PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 



Ow the rolling prairie of the distant 

west 
Smiled, amid the flov/erts, the bright- 
est and the best — 
Tangled locks of auburn, eyes so blue 

and mild : 
Oh, wasn't it delightful to watch the 
sinless child 
Gathering the roses. 
So beautiful and fair, 
Twining there a garland 
To rest upon the hair 
Of a loving mother, in yonder shady 

cot. 
Smiling 'neath the roses and the blu? 
forget-me-not. 

Tall and very stately grew this slen- 
der youth. 
None in all the prairie with eye so 

full of truth. 
In the leafy wild wood he often could 

be seen 
Splitting rails, for hours upon the 
shady green,-— 
Where the sunlight glimmered 
Through the shining mist. 
And the whispering breezes 
Often stoop to kiss 
Fragile dooping lily — sweet, divine^ , 



PLEASANT WORDS. 87 

and fatr, 
Or blushed upon the roses amid the 
stilly air. 

Thus he grew to manhood, in west- 
ern Illinois ; 
Naught there were around him that 

ever could destroy 
That high tone of moral, that shone 

through all his life, 
'Mid poverty, or darkness, or wealtl^ 
or nation's strife. 
He, the soul of honor. 
So true and brave and good. 
Soon, through all the nation, 
How well they understood : 
They sweetly smiled upon him, and 

ere he was aware-— 
The highest seat of honor for him 
they placed a chair. 

Four years he acted nobly amid the 

nation's strife : 
Those were times when brothers met 

brothers in this life. 
He often wept in secret — aye, wept 

with bitter tears, 
To think a dark rebellion should burst 
upon his ears. 
Oh, the anguish of the moment 
When heart from heart, was torn, 
To meet upon the battle field, 
Aye, never lo return. 
Oh, agony to fearful ! the angels muat 

have wept 
When o'er the noble faces the dark- 
en^ed shadows crept. 



3 PLEASANT WORDS. 

Again they smiled upon him, and ere 

he was aware-— 
The highest seat of honor for him 

they placed a chair. 
The nations almost trembled for one 

so pure and good ; 
That traitors gathered 'round him, 
ah ! well they understood-- - 
In Washington city. 
( Can any one forget 
The time, the very hour ) ? 
It haunts my spirit yet. 
To think that heartless traitors should 

ciuelly destroy 
The brave true-hearted Lincoln, of 
western Illinois. 



From the crowded hall they bore him 

with weeping friends beside 
Unto the stately Capitol ; but soon 

alas he died. 
A shining angel hover'd — I seem to 

see him yet — 
With eyes so calm and holy, I never 
would forget ; 
A smile almost seraphic 
Shone soon upon his face. 
'Twas sweet, almost in anguish, 
To think that no disgrace 
Had ever o'er him rested — aye, never 

could destroy 
The brave and noble Lincoln, of 
western Illinois. 

The anguish of the nations, when 

swift the tidings flew 
From sunny France to India, to 



PLEASANT WORDS. 3! 

Europe and Peru,-— 
Much more the loving sisters who 

quietly had slept 
In harmony to gether, until a shadow 
crept ; 
But mournfully the sorrow 
Was bourn upon the breeze, 
From northern hill and city 
To southern sunny seas. 
Each wept ! but still in memory time 

never can destroy 
The uear-beloved Lincoln, of western 
Illinois. 



THE DEC^ISION. 



Thou, false and fickle one, 
I bid thee go ! turn not thy face again, 
But keep thee on, thy onward course, 
Until thy race is run. Thy way seems 
Bright, and music low and sweet 
Falls on thy ear ; the way-side flowers 
Spring up around thy path, and with 
Their sweetest incense seek thy smile. 
The pale sweet lily and the modest 
Violet speak of thy many virtues : 
They think from thy high brow and 
Modest mean there must be truth ; 
And, from the mirrored depths of 
Their pure souls, no thoughts of 
Evil come— - 

The after thought. 
And thouuh I bid thee go, I wish thee 
Well in the lone dark corner 
Of thy callous heart, I wish np 



40 PLEASANT WORDS. . 

Sad regret ; and when sweet 
Slumber steals upon thy soul, may 
All thy thoughts of earth flee swift away; 
And, may He draw the misty veil 
Aside and let thy dreamy gaze rest on 
Ethereal forms-— so pure, so fair, that 
Earth may lose its charms : and may 
They linger long around thy couch, 
And with their seraph smiles so much 
Of heaven stir deep the inmost fountains 
Of thy soul. And when the rosy dawn 
Steals on thy couch, may its fair 
Beams rest on a holier shrine : 
A soul made pure by God's own 
Love— his burning love so deep, so 
Unfathomable. 



BE TRUE. 



Be true, Oh be true, to the purest 
emotion, 

First found in the depths of thy inno- 
cent heart, 

Hold closely the germ born of love 
and devotion, 

So that it3 sweet fragrance may nev- 
er depart. 

Be true, Oh be true, to the soul that 

is yearning 
For deeper communion with Nature's 

fair face. 
Gaze thou on her beauties while from 

her learning 
Sweet lessons of virtue, of patience 

and grace. 



S'LEASANT WORDS. 41 

Be true, Oh be true, to the love that 

abideth 
In hearts that are weary and closely 

confined ; 
None so degraded but yet there re- 

maineth 
Some v/orth in the heart, or soul both 

combined. 

Be true, Oh be true, in thy earnest 

endeavor 
To lighten each sorrow, and banish 

each tear, 
And may thy life -labor, both now 

and forever. 
Be the joy of the morning, the fair 

evening cheer. 

Be true, Oh be true, to thyself, which 

is only 
A part of our Father, who gave thee 

thy breath. 
And the love which He gave, ah, is 

it not holy ? 
And could you, ah, would you, be 

false unto death ? 

Be tiue. Oh be true ; let the wind 

which is kissing 
The rose on thy cheek, at the close of 

the day. 
Bear upward this message, as thy soul 

is singing 
I'll be true, Oh my Father, help thou 

me, to pray. 



42 PLEASANT WOUbS. 

THOUGHTS OF THE PAST. 



Memory, bring back the brightness 
Of the dearest, dimpled face, 

And the bird-like voice of gladness 
By gone } ears cannot efface : 

When the moments winged with pleasure 
Passed so swiftly as we strolled — 

Gathering some fragrant treasure- 
Gemmed with crimson or with gold. 

Near the stream, th£lt softly singing, 
Mirrored lovely shadows back 

From the rosy clouds, soft rolling. 
In the heaven's extended track. 

We were sisters, not by nature. 

But in sympathy were such ; 
For we loved alike each creature 

And the brute creation much. 
For as farmer's daughters roaming 

In the country— -fancy— f^ee, 
Oft we wandered 'til the gloaming 

Touched the forest— field- -the sea ; 
In the distance, dimly lying 

As a sheet of silver lay, 
Mov'd the singing waves— soft sighing — 

Grandly to departing day. 

Memory her veil is raising. 

And another form is here ; 
One who stood by Lena praising 

'Til her blushes bright appear. 
Aye, he filled her soul with gladness 

When he lingered by her side ; 
But alas ! the tears of sadness 

From her eves no more were dried — • . 



PLEASANT WORDS. 43 

For he sought another maiden 

In the city's busy din, 
Who with worldly wealth was laden, 

And she gave her hand to him. 

Soon from Lena's cheeks the roses* 

•Silently stole soft away ; 
And her dimpled foiin reposes 

Longer on her couch each day, — 
But the smile of sweetness lingers 

Just the same about her lips, 
Though her pale, transparent fingers 

Long have lost their losy tips ; 
But she murmurs not when meeting, 

All alone, some faithful friend. 
For her lips are oft repeating-— 

"What I ueedeth, He will send !" 

But to me the change of seasons 

Brings some fragrant flowers fair ; 
For my happy heart hath reasons 

Why it knoweth not despair ; 
For the music of another 

Bringeth sunbeams all around — 
Dearer love than that of brother 

Is the love my life hath crowned : 
And the moments, softly blending 

Into dim, delicious bliss,— 
Make my spirit go outsending 

Texiuer words of thankfulness. 



44: PLEASANT Words. 

MY FATHER GIVE THY HAKD. 



It is late ; the hills grow higher 

And I scarce can see the way, 
And my restless feet they tire 

Climbing rocks so cold and gray ; 
Stretch thy hand afar, O Father ! 

Let me clasp it in mine own, 
I am weak and faint my Father ; 

It is haxd to walk alone ! 

Mountains in the distance lying 

And their brows are crowned with 
snow ; 
And I hear the ocean sighing 

Sadly near the plains below ;-— 
But I am afai*, my Father^ 

From my kindred— -give thy hand t 
Ere I falling faint, dear Father, 

On this barren, burning sand. 

Now the clouds—they shadow o'er me, 

And the darkness it is drear ; 
Help ! O Father, I implore thee. 

For the wind is wild, severe ; 
For no hand of thine is stealing 

O'er me as a sacred psalm. 
And no voice divine is stilling 

This wild tumult to a calm. 

xlow the wrathful fires are flashing — 

Lighting up this night of woe ; 
And the thunder chains are crashing 
'Mid the rain-drops falling flow- 
But a voice of sweetness speaketh, 



PLEASANT WORDS. 45 

'* I am near, be not afraid :" . 
And a hand I feel that seeketh 
Mine, for whom I long had prayed. 

And the clouds are dark no longer, 

And the hills no more are steep, 
And I feel my feet grow stronger, 

And I do no longer weep ; 
For the hand I love is leading, 

And I faint no more, or pine, 
For my heart His love is sealing 

With a tenderness divine. 



SYMPATHY. 



How sweet to feel another heart 
In sympathy is near. 

Though distant many miles apart, 
Remembered words of cheer 

Linger around, a charm to throw- 
To beautify where'er we go. 

The darkest clouds that may appear 

Cannot the soul affright. 
We feel the sunshine draweth near, 

And soon will burst in sight 
Bidding all shadov/s pass away 

As mist before the sun's pure ray. 

The flowers, so beautiful and fair, 

Are lovelier in hue ; 
The summer skies, the fragrant air, 

Brings tenderly to view 
The sunny past — the pleasant words 

Sweeter than melody of birds. 



.Jk 



46 PLEASAIJT WORDS. 

Our lives flow pleasanter, to know 
One friend, at least, can feel 

True sympathy for ev'ry woe 
That through our bosoms steal : 

Half robbing us of our distress — 
Bidding a shade of happiness. 

The sunny smiles of constant friend 
A joyous fount may prove. 

Then let us tenderly defend 
The rights of those we love, — 

Showing by tenderness, the while, 
How we appreciate their smile. 



LITTLE DELL. 



In the firelight, sadly musing, 

Thinking of the dreary past— 
Of the ones I loved so fondly , 

Aye, and will love to the last ; 
Asking why the angels took him 

Far away from me to dwell. 
For my little brother's sleeping 
'Neath the green grave in the dell : 
But the clover 
Gems him over — 
Gems the grave of little Dell. 

Sighing that no childish footstep 
Lightly to me ne'er can come. 

And no rosy lips can ever 
Touch mine own as his hath done ; 

And no soft hand ne'er can lead me 
To the flowers he loved so well, — 

For my angel brother's sleeping 



JSSt 



TliEASANT WORDS. 47 

'Neath the green grave in the dell : 
But the clover 
Gems him over- 
Gems the grave of little Dell. 

Sadly still, I'm lonely thinking 

Of his little form so dear, 
And his childish merry laughter 
That can never greet mc here ; 
For his bright blue eyes are folded. 

That we all did love so well. 
And my little brother's sleeping 
'Neath the green grave in the dell : 
But the clover 
Gems him over- -- 
Gems the grave of litile Dell. 

Softly now I hear a whisper. 

Faintly echoed 'round me here, 
That the angels only took him — 
So our treasures are not here ; 
And I brushed the sparkling tear-drops 

Which from memory had fell, 
For I knew my angel brother 
Truly now in heaven did dwell : 
But the clover 
Gems him over — 
Gems the grave of little Dell. 



4b pleasant wo&ds. 

PROFESSOR WELLS. 



The warm south wind passed softly 

by his door, 
And sadly sighed to see he was no 

more ; 
For cold and pale upon his couch, he 

lay, 
Just as the morn was blushing into 

day. 

Near and dear friends with sadened 

faces stood 
Around his bier ; for he was brave 

and good— - 
Brave to defend the helpless and the 

weak, 
Good in the largeness of his heart to 

speak. 

Professor Wells was widely, kindly 

known : 
His writings show his heart was not 

of stone, 
But truly throbbed with sympathy 

for those 
Who walked the paths his better 

judgment chose. 

In early youth to medicine he turn- 
ed ; 

Phrenology soon after he discern- 
ed 

To be a blessing, and his genius 
gave 

Him power to aid who are their pas- 
sion's slave. 



PLEASANT WORDS. 4$ 

He deeply drank from science's sa- 
cred lake ; 

He asked mankind to come with him 
and slake 

Their thirst, and learn the better way 
to find, 

And fadeless stars upon their brows 
to bind. 

His busy brain is very quiet now— - 

Death's solemn seal is on his stain- 
less brow ; 

Nautfht can disturb the sweetness of 
his rest ; 

No thoughts of earth will ever him 
molest. 

i^arewell, beloved friend, farewell- 
farewell ! 

In solemn tones chimed out the sad- 
voiced bell. 

And many hearts sang soft the sad 
refrain-— 

Farewell, dear friend, in heaven we'll 
meet again. 



bO PLEASANT W0EI)6. 



WHAT WE MAY DO. 



We may deal justly, and do as we 

would 
Wish others to do in our place. If 

wo could 
Make pillows seem softer, or charm 

away pain, 
Dear friend ! would our life, then, 

be wasted in vain ? 

We may be pleasant to any we meet. 
In country, or city, av'nue or street ; 
Hearts have a tenderness, somewhere 

within-— 
We, from a sorrow, some spirit may 

win. 

We may give wealth if we have it to 
give— - 

If not, we may try as long as we live 

To make others happy by doing our 
best 

To lessen a burden, on some broth- 
er's breast. 

We may speak softly in love's gentle 
tone. 

To those who are drooping in sad- 
ness, and lone — 

Bereft of their kindred— no warm 
words of cheer 

Hath fallen to soothe them, their sor- 
rows severe. 



Pleasant words. 51 

We may make pleasant, some hills, 

which are steep— - 
Sowing life's roses for others to 

reap ; 
We may deal kindly, and justly, and 

true 
To those whom we meet in life's 

journey through. 



TO LORA 



Come nearer, dear Lora, and hold 
My hand— -it is growing so cold ; 
The touch of the shadow of death 
I felt for a moment- -my breath 
Seems borne on invisible wings ; 
To leave you I cannot— it clings-— 
To the dove, so devoted, who brought 
The warmth which my sympathy sought. 

Dear Lora, look eastward— behold ! 
The banners of scarlet and gold 
Which wave in the soft sighing breezu, — 
Borne in by the Goddess of day 
Ere sunset her crown put away. 
Which glitter and gleam till the stream 
A thousand gems brilliant doth seem. 

Loved Lora, your presence is sweet ; 
Now, time rolleth backward— we meet 
One morning in sweet sunny June 
When humming you were a soft tune, 
That came with the healing of balm : 
My hushed heart awoke with a psalm 
Of praises— to think we had met, 
How well I remember it yet. 



h2 



PLEASANT WORDS. 



You came as a vision of light 
Wlien darkness had hovered me quite. 
When breath of the slanderer stirred 
His venom, you heard not a word- 
But trusting forever my truth, 
You came, in your innocent youth, 
And gave me the wealth of your love 
To bear up in heaven above. 

The mountains so dimly that stand 

Afar in the distance and grand, 

Soft kissing the loveliest sky, 

No more I shall see with my eye ; 

Yet Lora, beloved and true, 

I often shall linger by you 

To chase away sorrow and gloom, 

And biiug purest joy in the room. 

Still nearer, dear Lora ; I mies 
Your lips and their sealing of bliss ; 
So sweet is your balm bearing breath 
I see not the shadow of death. 
Adieu ! do not weep ; we must part. 
Not long will we linger apart, 
The room is a flood now of light ; 
The angels are waiting-— good night ! 



PI.EASANT WORDS. 53 

THE TERRIBLE TALKER. 



This terrible talker is a nuisance al 

beet, 
She'll come in the morning, she'll 

give yon no rest 
Until you have heard all the news of 

the (lay, 
And the sly silly speeches ithat other 

one's say 

About you and others, 

And some who arc lovers, 
Requesting you never to mention a 

word. 

She seems to be posted on ev'ry 

thing 'round ; 
She knows if a maid on a lover has 

frowned. 
She will mention some words they 

passed at the ball. 
How the maiden grew angry and 

turned from the hall 

And left him to ponder 

And others to wonder 
About the proceeding for many a 

day. 

She'll speak of the clergyman over 
the hill, 

And mention his living his coffers to 
fill ; 

How his wife and his children ap- 
pear very fine, 

And what he is thinking, this nyor- 
thy divine 



14 PLEASAiJT WOBD8. 

About matters and things 
And machines that have wings 
Awaiting at Auburn a journey to 
take. 

She mentions the College just over 
the way, 

And students who pass'd examina- 
tion day ; 

And speaks what she thinks of their 
intellect, too. 

And wonders what they are intend- 
ing to do 

When they move from the place 
To commence the life race, 

And if they will prosper in business 
or not. 

This terrible talker she speaks of the 

times : 
How scarcer by far than the jingle 

of rhymes 
Is finance which few in the country 

can get, 
As no one is willing his money to 

let. 

And this she will mention 

And say her intention 
Is never to utter a thing that she 

hears. 



iPtiEASANT WORDS. 65 

MUSIC. 



I HBAB delicious music through the 
trees 
In this soft summer eve ; 
The bright birds, sleeping 'neath the 
dew-damp leaves, 
The power of praise receive — 
Which echoes clearly, sweet, and long, 
In love's deep, rich, and varied song. 

Tiie stars smile sweetly as they meek- 
ly move 
To strains divinely sweet. 
And roses, resting in this wild-wood 
giove, 
The sacred song repeat ;* 
And I with hushed heart look to see 
Whence comes these notes so heavenly. 

Brightly, the ocean in the distance 
gleams — 
Its watchful waves are stirr'd 
To softest sighs ;-— the pine 3till pen- 
sive leans 
To list to music heard, 
In solmn strains so softly sweet : 
They merely muse — the angels meet. 

A holiness seems resting ev'ry where 

On bird, and flower, and bee ; 
Then is it strange that ev'ry thing in 
prayer 
Looks upward. Lord, to Thee — 
Thou gracious giver of all good-— 
Divinest singer of the wood; 



€6 PLEASANT WORDS. 

BRUISED AND BROKEN. 



I AM weary, mother, darling — 
Come thou nearer, give me rest 

For awhile upon the sweetness 
Of thy fondly cherished breast. 

Life to me hath been so dreary 
In the darkly flowing years. 

And the heart I loved— -a shadow 
Changing all my joys to to tears. 

It was bitter to awaken 

From love's sweet delusive dream ; 
Sad it is to learn so early 

Friends are seldom what they seem. 

Press your loving lips still nearer ; 

Oh, how sweet it is to feel 
All the love warmth of your kisses 

Softly through my bosom ste^l. 

But the bitter past hath faded ; 

Cold and chill can never bring 
To my heart, a single sorrow 

'Neath the shadow of your wing. 

Let the wild winds blow as harshly 
As they please about your door,-— 

In your presence pure and lovely, 
They can never harm me moce. 

I am growing colder, mother ; 

Can it be that death is nigh 
With her dim and dark unfolding, 

^d a. .message from the sky 1? 



PLEASANT WORDS. 67 

Turn thou not away, dear mother — 

List ! i hear an angel sing 
With rich melody afloating 

'Mid tlie rustle of her wing. 
Ah, e'en now, my soul is thrilling 

With the music sweet and low ; 
Weep thou not for me, dear mother, 

Kiss me quickly ere I go. 



GOD'S WAYS, 



God's ways are different from ours 

And past our finding out. 
As shining dew-drops touch the flowers, 

To fling their perfume out, 
So He doth chasten, but to blend 

Hi.3 loving spirit which doth tend 
To purify our heart from sin, 

That His rich love may enter in. 

At times, we do not see why He 

Should let the shadows fall-- 
So dense and dark we cannot see, 

Nor hear at His sweet call. 
Who speaks in accents soft and low : 

** Why do you wander too and fro ? 
Come home, it is thy Father's voice ! 

There's bread for tiiee, my son, rejoice 1" 

0od's ways are intricate to some ; * 

But if we clearly read, 
We see much good to ev'ry one 

Is surely to proceed 
From worthy acts— tho' long the day ; 

Yet, in His own appointed way. 
Some rich reward, unthought, unknown, 

Will come through Him in love alon§. 



58 P1.EA8ANT WORIDS. 

God's ways are mysteries — complete •.; 

We cannot pierce, or solve. 
We know He hath a language sweet, 

To which the worlds revolve 
In happy harmony and ease, 

Doing His will and that to please 
The One who fashioned them and hung, 

Before whom angels long have sung. 

God's ways are different-— divine, 

And past our finding out : 
Then should we not on Him recline, 

That His strong love about 
Our hearts, so tender firm and true. 

Should cause in us to take a view 
Of our past lives, and then depend 

Our all on Him — our truest friend. 



TO ONE BELOVED. 



I AM weary, weary, weary, 

Give me rest. 
Let me drink again the sweetness 

Of thy breast. 

Let me see again the splendor 

Of thy smile. 
Gazing in thine eyes so tender 

For awhile. 

Like a fragrant bunch of roses 

Fresh and bright. 
Is thy form as it reposes, 

Calm and white 



PLEASANT WORDS. 59 

In my dreams I catch a glimmer 

Of thy hair, 
Bearing me on high forever, 

From despair. 

On yon star that rises slowly 

O'er the sea. 
Gaze I oft, as it is lovely-— 

Pure as thee. 

Would thy rosy palm might hover 

Near to mine, 
Can'st thou be a faithful lover ? 

I am thine. 

There's a mystic something ever 

Telling me-— 
Our hearts shall yet be one forever, 

Happy, free. 



ALWAYS MUCH TO DO. 



There is much for us to do. 

Would we idly sit or stand, 
Leaving many things in view. 
For some others in the land ! 
Should we not with shoulders strong 
Bear our burden right along, 
To encourage and to bless. 
With our smiles of happiness. 

Tho' to us our little sphere 
Seems so very small, that we 

Could not dry a single tear. 
Yet the ocean, grand and free. 



60 PLEASAKT WORDS. 

Wiih its ceaseless ebb and flow, 
Is composed as ye all know, 
With its crystal drops so fair. 
Making music on the air. 

If we'd only think, and try 

With a word, a thought, or smile 
To revive the fainting nigh ; 
Who are fading all the while 
For a sympathetic touch 
Of a friend, whose power is such 
To erase the dark despair 
Which had settled unaware. 

Would that we with earnest thought, 

Might some consolation give 
To the weary, who have sought 
Long, and patiently to live 

With a heart half crushed with woe^ 
Which was hidden long ago, 
As a worm in roses found, 
Gnawing deep the heart around. 

Oh ! to have a soul to feel 

Deeply, tenderly and true, 
And the sympathy to heal 
All the fading flowers in view. 
And, to point them to the sky, 
Where the roses never die, 
And with ever fragrant breath, 
Not be conquered o'er by death. 



PLEASANT WORDS. 61 

THE EELEASE. 



The stars unveiled their faces, and 
the moon. 
Resplendent in her beauty, shone 
With streams of silver softly bright. 
The hushed earth 'woke to calm delight ; 
He mused in thought alone. 

How changed the heart ; the v(«ce is 
strangely chill ; 
The smile of sunlight bursts no more 
With love to crown the rosy lips. 
More sweet than when the dew drop drips 
From roses perfumed o'er. 

Since, many times we've met to leave 
a pain 
Unseen ; but in my breast acute 
Life hath no charms ! I walk about 
As one bereft of sense ; and doubt 
Maketh my sad lips mute. 

Where is thy fragrance summer, and 
the bloom 
That grandly touched the wild -wood 

grove, 
While sweet a seraph smiled and 'woke 
To brighter beauty as she spoke 
The summer skies above ? 

The mocking bird that sweetly sang 
is changed ; 
No more her voice falls soft and low. 
The roses blushing at my feet, 



%2 PLEASANT W6b5§. 

Their perfume rare I cannot meet— - 
Why summer is this so ? 

This very seat where once the ttiofes- 
es clung 
Seemed as a throne— -herself the queen : 
How changed is all. I had not wealth- 
Only an honest heart and health— - 
Why should he come between ? 

An angbl, from her silver throne, 
look'd down 
And calmed the troubled heart to peace. 
The lucid moonbeams softly shone 
Upon thfe pallid lips alone. 
He found at last release. 



tWiLIGHt 



*Tis twilight : and the sun has gone 

Unto his dreamy rest ; 
His golden beams have faded long, 

And sunk upon his breast. 

The dew like trembling teardrops fall 

On tiny leaf and spray ; 
And silvery voices seem to call 

Me from my dreams away. 

The winding river at my feet 
Keflects the clouds below — 

Like rolling billows, pure and sweet, 
Adrift with sunset glow; 



t'LBASANT WORt)S. 63 

1 gaze upon the mountain's brow, 

Bedecked with living green ; 
An eagle wheeling near its brow 

In gathering mist is seen. 

The crimson rose has fell asleep 

Upon the lily's breast, 
And quietly the shadows creep 

Around the eaglets' nest. 

I gai^e ! when low a trembling 6ta,lf 

Aiises faint and pale ; 
It sfeems to speak from me afar, 

tJpon the rising gale* 

I catch the burning thoughts i and then 

i know no more of earth ; 
I seem to live with flim again — 

The One who gave me birth. 

I'm borne upon an angel's wing 
Through waving seas of bliss ; 

I list to hear the angel's sing. 
And thrill beneath their kiss. 



Around a crystal throne of light 

\ see a smiling band— - 
With starry crowns and robes of white, 

Seated at God's right hand. 

But soon — alas I the vision passed, 
And shadows, sad and drear, 

Their darkness o'er my spirit cast, 
That I alone was here. 



<>4 PLEASANT WORDS. 

VALEDICTION. 



Oh, why did you hasten so swift in 

your flight, 
That we for the last should assemble 

to night 
To meet nevermore ;— -ah ! can it be 

true 
That we for the last must bid each 

adieu ? 

Oh haste from my bosom ye sad 

thoughts away ; 
For in memory's halls thou'lt never 

decay-— 
For time cannot take all the joys of 

the past 
If we but on men: ory our glances will 

cast. 

Ah, the music of footsteps will echo 
no more ; 

And some, far away on some distant 
shore, 

Will recall all the scenes of the beau- 
tiful past 

To the joys that were fleeting, too 
transient to last. 

This school has been pleasant—of 

this you'll agree— 
And there is none other that's dearer 

to me : 
For love is the rule that casteth out 

fear, 
And such is the kind that we ever 

have here. 



PLEASANT WORDS. 65 

But often their patience methinks we 
have tasked 

O'er lessons unlearned and the ques- 
tions we've asked : 

But kindly and calmly they ever ap- 
pear, 

And this is the reason I think them 
80 dear. 

Oh sweet are the hours in which we 

have met, 
And bright are the faces I would not 

forget ; 
I shall see them in sunshine, I shall 

see them in gloom, 
Methinks \ may see Lhem beyond the 

dark tomb. 

These halls will be vacant, and never 

no more 
We shall hear the same snatches of 

song, as of yore : 
The kind word of greeting we never 

may hear 
I'rom the lips of the students or 

teachers so dear. 

My thanks to the teachers. Oh ! 
could I express 

In words which are fitted to honor 
and bless ; 

For praises too many I could not be- 
stow, 

For worthy they are as any I know. 

Dear teachers and students, I now 
bid adieu, 



66 PLEASANT WORDS. 

And hope that I often may meet each 

of you. 
Our paths are divided, I hope there 

will be 
A mansion in heaven awating for 

thee. 



SUNSET DREAMS. 



The sun sank dreamily and low 
The western hills beyond, leaving his 
Crimson brightness on the forest trees, 
That stately stood shading a placid 
Lake whose clearness seemed a sleeping 
Mirror ; and the soft bright clouds 
Reflected in its depths, like shadowy 
Forms we see sometimes in dreams. 
Softly a star came forth ; then others 
Came ; and soon a countless throng, 
In silvery brightness, gleamed 
Upon the calm fair brow of 
Heaven. The sumnler heats had 
Passed September's cool delicious 
Coolness — stirred the soft night dir 
Until the bended blossoms gavd 
Their odorous breath, so much like 
Hers, the faultless flower who pensive 
Gazed in dreamy calmness on the 
Star-filled sky ; for she had learned 
The movements of the stars, and 
They to her had grown familiar. 
How fair she seemed ; her soul-filled 
Eyes as diamonds were — 
Except the softness in their 
Clear calm depths. And this 
Fair flower had learned to love 



PLisAsANT Words. 6^ 

Jkiy preseuce, and to draw me 
Up to her by the keen force of 
Sympathetic souls ; and it was 
Heaven to me to hold her hand, 
And feel the odorous dew 
Of lips as rose leaves soft, 
And feel that I henceforth the 
Seal of happiness should wear. 



AUTUMN VOICES. 



Autumn leaves are falling ; 
Spirit voices calling, 

Soft and low : 
** To be true and tender, 
Carefully remember 

Where you go. " 

And the words you've spoken ; 
And the hearts you've broken 

Try and cheer. 
Raise the lily tender 
And the eyes of splendor 

Will appear. 

Autumn dews are falling ; 
Silvery voices calling, 

Sad and sweet : 
"Live, and be appearing 
As you are, and fearing 

Dark deceit. " 

And the west winds, sweeping, 
Bear along repeating : 
" Faithful )3e. " 



i}% PLEASANT WOilfiS. 

As the sweets of roses — 
Life will be when closes 
Peacefully. 

And thfe stars in glory- 
Will repeat your story, 

As you move : 
Fair an angel shining 
O'er you may be chiming - 

**God is love. " 



MY SINGING BIRD. 



I HEARD a sweet bird singing — 

I listened to his lay, 

'Twas when the clouds were flinging 

Some shadows o'er my way ; 

Scon the sweetness and the clearness 

Of his sunny song 

Made the roses seem in nearness, 

And my fainting spirit strong. 

This bonny bird is brightest 

Of any in the the town : 

His wings are of the whitest™- 

His bosom softest down ; 

And the star of hope is gleaming 

Brightly on his breast, 

Oft he 'wakens me by singing 

As he rises from his nest. 

His silver song is clearer 

Than any I have heard ; 

His meek brown eyes are brighter 

Than thrush or mocking bird. 

Oft he comes when I am saddest—' 

How soon the shadows flee, 



JPLEASAN* WORDS. 69 

For he makes my heart the gladdest 
Singing sweetest songs to me. 

The cares of life are fleeting — 
They swiftly pass away- 
Alone, I am repeating 
The song he sang one day. 
And now \ know no sorrow 
To cloud my happy lot, 
No trouble need I borrow ; 
His song I've not forgot. 



WOMAN'S SPHERE. 



Woman helps to mould the mind ; 
And may she be true and kind- 
True to viitue and to truth. 
Teaching to the tender youth 
By example and by deeds. 
How to sow the sacred seeds. 

Sow them in the early day ; 
They may turn by your delay 
Where the voice of pleasure calls, 
In the gaily lighted halls ; 
Where the wine is burning red 
And the brows of virtue fled. 

Make your happy homes more bright 
Than the gems of flashing light, — 
Glittering on brow and wrist, 
Or in curls of silken twist, 
Falling on the enow that lies 
Stainless, only in disguise. 

Woman, watcher of the young, 



^0 tLEASAI^T W03a£>S. 

See no wrathful words are flung 
Near enough to shade the light 
From the childish faces bright ; 
Let their atmosphere be love—- 
See they early gaze above. 

And, O woman ! try to make 
Human hearts no more partake 
Forms of falsehood and of pride ; 
But from each of these decide 
To exert, and try to lead 
Upward by some worthy deed. 

Noble it is thus to make ; 
If you can some mind forsake 
Darkened paths,-— 'tis yours to win 
All you can from stain of sin ; 
By your sympathy of heart 
You may bid some cloud depart. 

Woman's work is vast and grand ; 
And, thro' love she may command 
Weeping hearts to weep no more, 
By her tenderness in store. 
Making light and love a throne 
In the center of her home. 



^LEASANf WORDS. 71 

A MOTHER'S LOVE. 



A MOTHEil's love, how very sweet it 
seemeth 

When sorrow sings to us her mourn- 
ful song ; 

The shadows pass, her smile of sweet- 
ness gleameth. 

When we are free from ev'ry thought 
of wrong. 

Her voice we hear as in the days of 
childhood 

That came to charm oUr little griefs 
away ;— - 

Though years have set their seal up- 
on our manhood. 

We cannot help but yearn for her to 
pray. 

Her tender tones at midnight oft we 

heareth 
When we apart from all the world 

commune ; 
The wand'ring wind sweeps onward 

and appeareth 
To softly touch her harp to love's 

low tune,-- - 
So strangely sweet for memories ii 

bringeth 
Of home made sacred by her presence 

pure; — 
Roll backward years — our lips to hers 

still clingeth 
Knowing the sweetness of her lips 

we'ie sure. 



72 PLEASANT WORDS. 

For she, at least, will feel for all our 

sorrows 
When we are chilled by coldness or 

neglect ; 
Our Father sees the falling of the 

sparrows, 
And so may she our hidden griefs 

detect : 
Though we smile sweetly and make 

no complaining — 
Her tender heart some buried pain 

may read ; 
And strangely proud, we sometimes, 

turn disdaining 
The symt:athy, for which we so 

much need. 

And when alone in far oif lands we 

wander. 
And stranger's faces meet on ev'ry 

side,-— 
We have our hours in which we love 

to ponder 
Of one we'll meet no more in this 

world wide ; 
But strangely sweet her spirit seems 

to hover-— 
Giving the sweetness that we fail to 

find ; 
She changes not, as fickle friend or 

lover 
Her mother's heart is ever warm and 

kind. 



pleAsakt wokds. 73 

IN THE SPRING. 



Let us with the robins sing 
In the Spring ! 
For the sun in glory shineth. 
And the clematis soft climeth 
'Mid the roses rare and twineth 
O'er our door— -fragrance pour 
Perfume of ten-thousand censors 
tiichly flooding ev'ry room> with per- 
fume. 

Rosy children laugh and sing 
In the Spring. 

Sunbeams softly now are sifting 
Through the leaves-— the Zephyr lifting 
Golden curls on bosom drifting — 
White as snow, pure as snow ; 
Blue eyes wander to the westward 
For a tender heart and warm, manly 
form. 

Merry maiden let us sing 

In the Spring ! 

You have given in life's morning, 

Stainless heart to him adoring, 

And life's duties soon performing — 

As you see— -you will be — 

You will make more bright his cottage 

By the softly singing sea, shining sea. 

Sing ye fainting flowers, sing 
In the Spring I 

For the bloom is on the clover, 
And the summer snow is over 



u 



PLEASAKT WORDS. 



Wooing tree, where maid and lover 

Often strayed— -long delayed — 

And the sly mischievous cupid 

In the silence hurl'd a dart, to each heart. 

Let the world in gladness sing 
In the Spring ! 
May the heart in joy awaken 
For the pains that He has taken, 
For Spring's beauty is a token 
Of his love — wondrous love ; 
In the bright celestial city 
He doth wait to welcome givcj that we 
live. 



BEAUTIES OF NATURE. 



How beautiful is earth ! I see 
In ev'ry leaf, and spray, and tree, 

The impress of His hand. 
I note where last His pencil drew 
The stems, so delicate and true, 
Which He in fairest fragrance threw 

Upon the land. 

I hear the language of His love 
In songs of birds, that sing above 

My lonely lattice door. 
The butterfly, with silken wings. 
Seems murmuring of hidden things ; 
I look beyond to Him who sings — 

Whom I adore. 

And silver stars that softly roll 
Night after night, at His control, 
Is beautiful to see. 



iPLEASANT WORDS. 75 

I watch them as they move in space 
Around the splendor of His face, 
Receiving each an added grace 
Of majesty. 

The wondrous beauty, He has made 
To mingle in the rainbow's shade, 

Delights the saddest eye. 
They calmly read His constant care— 
And not the language of despair. 
And therefore trust Him unaware. 

Without a sigh. 

All things are beautiful to those 
Who love the beauty of a rose 

He touched with fingers fair ; 
E'en so the humble flower that lies 
Beneath the broad and burning skies ; 
As well our mortal hands should prize. 

He placed them tliere ! 



WHO WILL THINK OF ME. 



Who will come, when I am lying, 

Where the palest roses wave ? 
Who will whisper, sadly sighing, 

Let me kneel above thy grave ? 
For thy heart was true, and tender-— 

Stainless, blameless, and as white 
As the lily's star-lit splendor 

Is upon this soft Spring night. 

Who will smile no more, as sweetly, 

Since they lay me down to rest 
With my white hands folded meekly 



^6 pleasaItt wobDs. 

On my patient, pulseless breast ? 
Who will feel the wild winds blowing 

Colder, colder, ev'ry day — 
Since my shadowy bark were rowiilg, 

Soft o'er soundless waters gray ? 

Who will hear the roses, sighing, 
With their crimson lips apart ? 

iFpward looking, softly trying, 
Then, to speak about a heart ; 

Who had loved them long and dearly- 
Dreaming they were half divine ? 

And who came to twine them early 
In her silken tresses shine ? 

Who will bow above me, kindly. 

While the night-birds sweetly sing f 
Who will murmur low and fondly — 

Love, wherfe art thou wandering ? 
Does the white-winged seraphs hover 

Pressing purest lips to thine ? 
Dost thou muse upon another 

Who is kneeling at thy shrine ? 

Who will sigh when I am sleeping 

'Neath the daisies snowy bloom ? 
Who will kneel in silence — weeping-" 

'Mid the violet's perfume ? 
Who will whisper — I no longer 

Dream about the other shore, 
For, infaith, I'm growing stronger— - 

Angels bear my spirit o'er. 



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^^ DEC 88 

^!^^ N. MANCHESTER, 
^*=^ INDIANA 46962 




